Challenging,     
               Hopeful,   
                             Practical, 
                                            Meaningful,
                                                        Enlightening,
                                                                     Awakening, 
                                                                              Equipping

These are powerful words attached to a powerful experience. They were used to describe the psychosocial (PSS) trauma training World Renew carried out for the Leyte and East Samar staff. After two days with the staff the PSS team travelled Guiuan to share the same training with people from four barangays. Selected respected men and women of influence were chosen by their communities to attend. “They will be the ones” is the way the Filipinos put it.

Ron handing out training certificates


Children climbing trees 

We were blessed with an excellent facilitation team who imparted deep practical understanding of trauma and trauma debriefing. The training enabled the staff to process their own Typhoon Yolanda experience. They gained knowledge in a variety of areas which would help them to identify survivors suffering from trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal tendencies.

Each staff member participated in a group debriefing process. They also learned how to act as a facilitator of a debriefing session. There were opportunities for practice as well as individual and small group opportunities to avail the wisdom and council of the facilitators as needed.

Testimonies of staff validated the importance of and the healing power that came through this two-day experience. Their stories are not ours to share publically but we can say there were profound changes for a number of them. We are again thankful to all donors who support World Renew in this response.

The PSS training will also be carried out in five barangays in Dulag in early July.

This will be followed by two more levels of training in both the Guiuan and Dulag communities and will be focused on children and high school students. The aim is to have informed and trained people in each barangay who can serve their communities in the area of psychosocial support when future traumatic incidents occur.

It has been just over six months since the typhoon. One of the PSS facilitators mentioned seeing a documentary on Yolanda. I decided to look for it on line. I found the Discovery channel documentary in three parts:

As we watched the documentary and recognized many places, we were again thankful to World Renew for providing spiritual and psychological support to the survivors of this unimaginable event. The extreme devastation was well portrayed in the film.

Prayer Requests:

  • That the PSS training will bring healing and hope to many survivors
  • That our housing program will soon be activated on the ground
  • That our last month here in the Philippnes will bear much fruit 
  • That we will be physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy
  • For special favour and wisdom for Program Manager Mona Saroinsong
  • For endurance in the intense heat (humidex 48 degrees Celsius)
  • For safety for everyone
  • For clarity and flexibility as we communicate

Give thanks

  • For the PSS training
  • For an expanding staff with gifts to carry the response forward
  • For good relationships: staff, community leaders, fellow NGOs
  • For the privilege of serving through World Renew

In gratitude,

Blessings, 

Ron and Lauris Fuller

World Renew Volunteers
IDR Typhoon Haiyan Response

May 2014 Newsletter (pdf)